Can someone explain this mechanic to me?

https://preview.redd.it/vkubnq551s5g1.png?width=2558&format=png&auto=webp&s=551f81efca58ec722a389f7c46788969e241927e

I get that clearing the story above will destroy the path below. Does it mean I should clear the one below first before the one above to get all the tags? Or is this a case of choose A or B?